OC Fair Fun

Growing up in a small town the county fair was one of the highlights of the summer. Now living in the city I haven't been to a county fair in years so when the S.O. saw a billboard for the O.C. Fair and suggested we go I had a hit of nostalgia and was all for it!

In the heat and humidity first stop was to get refreshing adult beverages. After that, as I am a completely unbiased thrill seeker and lover of all roller coasters it was time for some rides. They had all the classics, some with new names, and my all time favorite "carnie ride" - the Zipper. I got to experience some new attractions that I feel need mentioning for all you fellow fair lovers, definitely check out Insanity and Speed. There's only one way to describe them as crazy drop, flip-you-upside-down swing type of rides.

With so many things to see at the fair I was happy to come across a booth selling sterling silver jewelry and I decided to bring toe rings back! I feel like I wore toe rings constantly in the 90's and had the urge to purchase a couple. Like I said, nostalgia!

Now, one of the main reasons I think anyone goes to the fair is for the amazingly greasy, artery clogging fair food. I controlled my #innerfatgirl and limited myself to one bacon wrapped turkey leg and one powdered sugar covered funnel cake - YAY for self control!

If you're feeling a little fun-loving and don't mind the dust and the pigsty smell OR you just have a hankering for a turkey leg as big as your head and deep fried everything - you know where to go.

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ALL SUMMER '16

Can you say breathtaking? Just got back from a lovely time in Cabo San Lucas to watch a couple of lovebirds say their "I DO's" and it was truly magical.

Now being back in Southern California and summer is officially in full swing there's so many wonderful things to do outside. With the sun shining and the breeze lightly blowing there's no other place I'd rather be.

Here's my top 5 favorite things to do "ALL SUMMER '16":

1.) Amusement Parks - we have some options between Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios and 6 Flags Magic Mountain. This year I went with a membership to 6 Flags and I forgot how much I really love roller coasters and funnel cake.

2.) Dodger Games - I know I'm a broken record on this one but you can NEVER go wrong with watching the Boys in Blue live. Fireworks on Fridays, free gifts and deals on the weekends and Dodger Dogs all the time!

3.) Rooftop bars - a nice rooftop bar on a beautiful evening is one of the many perks of Los Angeles. A small few that are worth checking out are: the Perch, the Standard, E.P. & L.P., Ace Hotel and Skybar. Although Skybar doesn't fully qualify as a rooftop it has an amazing view.

4.) Coastal Road Trips - not sure if it counts as a road trip but being from the Central Coast I love going back to visit family and friends in the northern 805. The drive ain't that bad either, ocean views on one side and rolling hills on the other.

5.) Wine Tasting - this is an activity I usually do in San Luis Obispo County when I go to visit but I've been hearing wonderful and amazing things about a few Malibu wineries so now I'm dying to try. Nothing spells "fun" like sunshine and a few bottles. #cheers

Share with me what you've been up to this summer and what your plans are! :)

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First Days of Summer.

Today is officially the first day of summer and I cannot even begin to explain how excited I am. 

I love everything about this time of year for numerous reasons.

First off, I am a summer baby - my birthday is just 3 short days away.

Secondly, summer includes pretty much all my favorite things and just to name a few; 

Sunshine. Bathing suits. Salt Water. Beach concerts. Sunglasses. 

I believe no truer words have been spoken, reference the quote above. I have a collection of sunglasses that range from the cheap gas station pairs to my favorite name brands. Last year, I realized I had so many I need a better way to store them and purchased a wholesale sunglasses display case - I have downsized and thrown out some of the cheap ones to make room for my S.O.'s sunglasses but with my obsession the case may need to be upgraded because now it's full.

Although, I'm a die-hard black frames girl I love the diversity in the style of my sunglasses, and most recently I've tried switching up the color of the lenses themselves.

I have my tried and true classic Ray Bans, my re-found obsession with cat eyes and undying love for aviator style. I've been purchasing quite a few pairs of Quay Australia - totaling 4 now, also a HUGE fan of ZeroUV.com if you have not checked them out you should you will not be disappointed.

To kick off my summer, besides my birthday, I'm headed to Cabo and I can't wait.
Share with me what are your big plans for summer.





Glasses From Top to Bottom: ZeroUV, Quay Australia, Quay Australia, ZeroUV

Off the Grid

I have abandoned my blog yet again, though making my way back... again.

 I have since abandoned social media as well, all profiles have been deleted or deactivated - insert shocked emoji here. I was "social media queen" as my friends would lovingly tease. Indeed I liked being constantly connected but it started to feel like more of a distraction from real life. There are times when I miss it.... like when I'm eating and I can't share my delicious looking meal, *wink emoji*. Really though, it's been very freeing not checking my phone a million times a day.

Like breaking any habit it was a little weird the first few days - repetitively pulling out my phone to look at Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, etc. but I've appreciated all the free time I had forgotten I had. Thankfully I enjoy my life enough to where I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

Off the grid with no social media, next step is to move into a tree house!

Let me know your thoughts on social media and giving it up in the comments.

How hard would it be for you to get rid of? Could you, would you do it?

I personally recommend it.

With Her Nose Stuck In A Book

 "The Last Bookstore" is quite literally my favorite place in the world. 

Growing up as a kid with no cable might sound like a tragedy but I enjoyed my escape with my nose stuck in a book. Unfortunately I lost my desire to read while in college due to being forced to read tedious textbooks. In the last year, I've been able to pick up again in my neglected hobby thanks to this store. 

If you are anything like me you will fall in love with the novelty of this place. 

Bookshelves upon bookshelves, a book arch tunnel, the Labyrinth, a special vault for all my favorites like Stephen King, Dean Koontz and other authors of horror, suspense, murder and other worldly. Then there's the classics, historical fiction, celebrity biographies, children's, rare books - the list goes on, you could lose a whole afternoon roaming the aisles. In a world of technology with iPads and Kindles, I absolutely love being able to hold a physical book.

Our most recent haul

Besides the plethora of books, one section of the second floor is dedicated to art and creative shops. There are few art showrooms, displays and an area where occasional classes take place. Not only is it the Last Bookstore it is a place where the creative juices can flow.

If you are ever in Downtown Los Angeles, this place should be one of your stops.

You can thank me later.

 Share with me what you've been reading or dying to read in the comments.

Empty Promises & Daylight Savings are the worst.

Valentines Day Pretties

I feel like my blog has become a bad relationship. Making empty promises saying I will follow through and then inevitably abandon for a few weeks, just to pop back up at the worst time when my blog is over me. Thank God for my "annoying blogging nag" fairy - she knows who she is. 

I've read a few blogs and I realize a lot more are just simple, straight to the point entries. Short and sweet - like me, ha! Maybe that's what I need to do, keep it short and sweet. There I go again with the empty promises, anyways....

Spring is upon us and Daylight Savings is this weekend. Who came up with this idea that we should lose an hour of sleep once a year?! I don't know about you but I have a hard enough time catching enough Zzz's in general.

Soon to be longer days and warmer nights, despite the horrid time change I'm most excited about dusting off my shorts, floral skirts and bright colored tank tops. My girl Tana wrote a great little piece on what the ladies should pull out of their closets for the new season (check here: Spring Fever). The sun just pulls me outside to run to the beach or hike a trail. Unfortunately LA's ever popular and beloved Runyon Canyon will be closed most of the summer but there's always Griffith Park or the Hollywood Trial... OR if you're up for an adventure go on a hunt for the Abandon LA Zoo. If you're really feeling active you can always brave the Santa Monica Stairs, which might kill you if you're not careful - that's my goal for the summer.

What are you all most excited for this Spring? Share with me in the comments.

xx Ashley

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Hair Identity Crisis



"The Flash" Wing

It's not a mid-life crisis but almost as serious is a HAIR Identity Crisis.
I never know what I want and once I've made a decision I see a different style/color/cut to make me change my mind - it is a constant battle I know all women (and possibly some men) are familiar with.
I am currently in the middle of a very painful hair transition.

I mentioned before that 2016 is my "year of transition", I'm growing out the undercut and struggling with going back to my natural roots - not so patiently waiting for my blonde to come back without damaging my hair has become excruciating to say the least. For a little hair history, I began coloring my hair darkest brown/black at the age of 20, so I've pretty much spent all of my 20s as a brunette. As for the undercut, I started shaving the left side of my head in 2011 and continued to do so until July of last year, which is also the same time I decided to stop coloring my locks. I've made it roughly six months. They say hair grows half an inch a month and I'd say my outgrowth is at about three inches give or take a little, I like to give.

Progression Photos:

My brunette to blond transformation:
 

 As you can see it was long and dark and then I chopped it thirteen inches or so and let it gradually do its thing as far as color. I'm trying to decide whether or not to help it along and strip the dark color out and keep it short to minimize damage. My roots always start of a light brown/dirty blonde and lighten as the sunshine gets to it (I am not a towhead). Of course, my roots appear darker when there's product in it or when it's dirty... and to be honest it's usually a mixture of product and dirty. Let's hear your two cents, I usually don't want it but I'm dying to know so help me out. Let it grow on it's own or help the blonde process along??

SHARE with everyone! You know how people like to give their opinions... and this time they're welcomed ;)

Til Next Time,

xx Ashley

Personal update: I got a job about a month ago at a corporate office for a holistic skin care line called Jurlique. I'm enjoying it and you all should check out their products #amazeballs. Also, starting a series of blog posts about "Places to get drunk with your man" - like when you feel like getting turnt up but don't want a whole group... OR your group of friends are being bums so it's just you two. Be on the look out!

LASTLY - Can I just say... At least I did post ONCE in January?
Haha, life is too hectic and I'm easily distracted by "shiny" things.